Pathanamthitta Candidate Searches for Lone Supporter After Receiving Single Vote

PATHANAMTHITTA: In an unusual turn of events following the recent local body elections, an independent candidate from Pathanamthitta is actively searching for the sole individual who cast a vote in his favor. Despite campaigning with a strong expectation of victory, Abraham P.S., also known as Sony, found himself with just one vote when the results were declared.

Abraham, who contested from the Churulicode 24th ward of the Pathanamthitta Municipality, had entered the fray confident in the support of approximately 350 acquaintances and relatives. Although he and his family did not have voting rights in that particular ward, he firmly believed he would secure a significant number of votes from his network. He even estimated a conservative win with at least 250 votes.

A mobile shop owner located near Pathanamthitta town, Sony chose a mobile phone as his election symbol. The outcome, however, was a stark contrast to his projections, leaving him with a single vote. This surprising result has sparked a unique quest for the mystery voter who stood by him when many others, whom he considered close, did not.

Expressing his profound curiosity and desire, Abraham stated, “I really want to meet the person who voted for me. Knowing why they voted for me would benefit me in the future.” He initially believed there was a favorable wave due to the public’s enthusiasm and conversations he overheard. Even in the final moments, neighbors mentioned hearing his name discussed positively, fueling his anticipation of a win.

The unexpected single vote initially led Abraham to suspect potential tampering with the electronic voting machine, drawing parallels to allegations made by figures like Rahul Gandhi. However, he now reflects on the valuable lessons learned from the electoral process. “I realized a lot of things, including the fact that not everyone who smiles at you will necessarily vote for you. About 80 percent of people in an election have strong political affiliations,” he remarked.

Abraham also shared the emotional impact of the result, revealing, “If I hadn’t received even a single vote, I might not have been able to stand up; I would have collapsed.” He emphasized his strong desire to meet the individual who offered him that crucial support in what he described as a challenging moment. He spent a modest sum of Rs 15,000 on his campaign. This experience has evidently provided him with a profound understanding of the intricacies of local politics and voter behavior.